Chapter 88: Poison Expert (1) Silas and his assistant took their leave as soon as he finished showing Marielle how to brew the herbal powder.
"My assistant and I will be in our room if you need anything, Your Majesty," Silas said with a polite bow before quietly stepping out.
. Edmund moved closer to Primrose, gently placing his palm on her warm forehead. "Wife, are you really okay?" he asked softly, concern written all over his face.
[Just as I thought ... I shouldâve just given her my saliva. The fever wouldâve been gone in seconds.]
In other words, he just wanted to kiss his wife over and over again under the excuse of "healing her fever."
If Primrose actually let him do that, instead of letting her sleep after a kiss, he would probably end up making her work hard on the bed.
No, not tonight. She had another meeting with Sevrin tomorrow, so she didnât want to oversleep.
"Iâm fine, Your Majesty," she said, giving him a gentle smile. "But ... can I ask you for a favor?"
Edmund nodded eagerly. "Of course, wife. Anything."
"Please leave my room," Primrose said calmly, though there was a hint of seriousness in her tone.
Edmund blinked. "Why?"
He was puzzled, not understanding why his wife was suddenly kicking him out.
[Did... did I do something wrong again?]
[Was she unhappy because I called the doctor? But I only called Dr. Silas because heâs supposed to be her personal doctor.]
[WHAT DID I DO WRONG?!]
Edmund was having a full-blown crisis in his head, as if Primrose had asked him for a divorce instead of simply telling him to leave her bedroom.
Even though he wasnât thinking anything bad, the expression on his face was so intense that Marielle, standing nearby, actually flinched. She was worried the King might lash out, just because the Queen had dared to ask something of him.
Primrose let out a slow, tired sigh.
Both of them were making her headache worse.
"I already told you," she said gently. "I want to change my clothes and get some sleep. So I think itâs time for us to say goodnight and see each other in the morning."
She gave him a faint smile. "This isnât your room, Your Majesty."
[Then why?! I can sleep anywhere! I could even sleep on the floor, as long as I can stay by my sick wifeâs side!]
Primrose didnât need to hear his thoughts to know he meant it.
She was pretty sure that if she asked, he would really curl up on the floor like a big, sad puppy.
But no. She didnât want him in her room any longer because she had a reason.
"Your Majesty," she called again, this time a little softer, when he still hadnât moved. "Please. I just want to sleep well tonight. And I can only really rest when Iâm alone. Will you do that for me?"
The truth? She did sleep better with him beside her.
But that was something she wasnât ready to say out loud, at least not now.
[Did I make her uncomfortable?]
Edmundâs shoulders slumped, and Primrose could almost picture imaginary dog ears drooping above his head. He looked so heartbroken, it made her chest ache.
"I understand," he said quietly. "Iâll leave your room."
Primroseâs heart squeezed at the sadness in his voice.
"Itâs not because you make me uncomfortable," she said softly, wanting to ease the sting in his chest. "But Iâve got a fever ... and I really need a good nightâs sleep."
She averted her gaze and spoke shyly. "But ... when youâre in the same room with me all night, I get a little restless. My heart wonât stop racing."
"Maybe ... itâs because I really, really like you, Your Majesty."
Marielle gasped and covered her mouth with both hands after hearing such an embarrassing confession from the Queen.
[So, their relationship really isnât bad at all.] she thought.
[I didnât witness the night Lady Leah caused trouble, but based on what the other maids said, it sounds like His Majesty is completely smitten with his wife.]
[And I also heard from one of the night guards that the King and Queen renewed their wedding vows in the middle of the night and that he gave her a ring with a huge jewel!]
[I thought they were exaggerating, but that ring on Her Majestyâs finger really is sparkling and huge!]
[Waitâdoesnât that mean itâs even worse if I mess up?!] Marielle screamed inwardly. [If I upset Her Majesty, the Lycan King might actually behead me on the spot! Oh, my little sister, please pray for me!]
Primrose was already tired from hearing Edmundâs dramatic thoughts all day, and now her maidâs imagination was even worse than his.
"M-My wife ... I really like you too," Edmund said with a stammer.
Primrose raised a brow, a bit surprised. She had half-expected him to say love, but ... this was sweet enough for now.
"Thatâs why I hope you can understand, husband," she said gently. "Just for tonight ... I want to rest properly."
Edmund nodded and slowly backed away toward the door, like he couldnât bear to take his eyes off his wife even for a second.
"Iâll come visit your room again tomorrow morning, wife," he said, reaching behind him to feel for the doorknob. "I... I really like you. A lot."
After saying that, he bolted out of the room, but carefully, making sure not to slam the door so he wouldnât disturb his wifeâs rest.
Marielle remained frozen, still stunned that she had just witnessed the mighty Lycan King act like a lovesick boy.
Primrose let out a light cough, snapping Marielle out of her daze. "I need you to do something for me."
Marielle jolted in surprise at the Queenâs voice, which had suddenly turned serious and just a little cold. It was as if that soft, gentle tone from before had completely vanished.
"W-What would you like me to do, Your Majesty?" Marielle asked, her voice a little shaky.
"Go to Sir Vesperâs room and tell him Iâd like to see him. Immediately," Primrose said without hesitation.